Where to Stay in Antigua Guatemala – A Guide to the Most Beautiful Central American Colonial City
Antigua is a Guatemalan city located in the Panchoy Valley and surrounded by volcanoes. It was founded in 1542 and is famous for its well-preserved colonial architecture and laid-back atmosphere. In this post, we explore the best area to stay in Antigua Guatemala.
Antigua’s main tourist attractions are located in its Historic Center, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and include the Arch of Santa Catalina, the church of La Merced, the Casa Santo Domingo, the Cathedral of Antigua, and the Las Capuchinas convent. See accommodation in Antigua Guatemala Historic Center.
The nearby Cerro de la Cruz offers hiking trails and the best views of this city surrounded by volcanoes.
The best time to visit Antigua Guatemala is from late November to mid-April, during the dry season.
To get to Antigua Guatemala, the best option is to fly into La Aurora International Airport. This airport is located in Guatemala City, about 40km away. From La Aurora, you can take a bus or shuttle service to Antigua.
To move around town, Antigua’s Historic Center is very pedestrian-friendly. Additionally, this city has buses, tuk-tuks, and regular taxis.
The best area to stay in Antigua Guatemala is its Historic Center. This charming central area is home to the main tourist attractions of Antigua, as well as its best restaurants, nightlife venues, and the vast majority of accommodation options. See accommodation in Antigua Guatemala Historic Center.
Keep reading to learn more about the best location for tourists in Antigua Guatemala.
The Best Areas to Stay in Antigua Guatemala
1. Recommended area: Centro Histórico (Antigua Historic Center)
The Historic Center of Antigua is home to the main colonial buildings, museums and historic churches of the city.
Most of the buildings that can be seen today in the Antigua Guatemala’s Historic Center have been restored after successive earthquakes.
In fact, it was the earthquake of 1773 that ended Antigua’s 200-year reign as the capital of Guatemala.
After the almost total destruction of Antigua, the Spanish colonial authorities decided to found Guatemala City 40 kilometers further east to serve as the capital of the Captaincy General of Guatemala.
Fortunately, despite the earthquakes and the passage of time, Antigua has managed to preserve its charming streets, parks and historic buildings.
The centrally located Plaza de Armas is considered the heart of the city and houses the Antigua Cathedral, which is currently in ruins.
Likewise, around the square there are several cafes, restaurants, bars and music venues.
The Historic Center of Antigua is also the main shopping area in the city. Here, you can find small souvenir and handicraft shops in colonial-style houses, traditional markets, food stores, supermarkets and banks.
The center of Antigua is connected to the rest of the city by buses, however, to move within the colonial quarter, it is best to do it on foot, take a tuk-tuk or a mototaxi.
Definitely, the Old Town is the best area to stay in Antigua for being the district with the most iconic tourist attractions and for its varied accommodation offer that ranges from luxury hotels in historic buildings to small guest houses and backpacker hostels.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Antigua Guatemala:
- Best area to stay in Antigua Guatemala
- Colonial art and architecture
- Restaurants and nightlife
- Charming streets
- Pedestrian-friendly
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Lirios Hotel Boutique
Featuring a garden and a bar, Hotel Boutique is located in Antigua Guatemala. The property is around 700 meters from Santa Catalina Arch, 9 km from Hobbitenango and 2.9 km from Cerro de la Cruz. The restaurant serves American and Latin American dishes.
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Budget
Hostel La Quinta
Hostel La Quinta is located in Antigua Guatemala. Free WiFi is available to guests. The colonial-style rooms at this hotel have tiled floors. The bathroom is private and includes a shower. There are bars and restaurants within a 5-minute walk.
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Luxury
El Convento Boutique Hotel
This beautiful hotel is located in the city of Antigua Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers an outdoor lap pool, charming rooms and incredible views.
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